Leaf Village: I, an Uchiha, Am Done Lying Flat! Chapter 46

Now, things were different!

They definitely would not be on the same squad in the future, otherwise Hiruzen Sarutobi would not have issued such an order.

Since they would not be on the same squad in the future, there naturally would not be any conflict of interest.

Coupled with their interactions during this period, while they could not become friends who would die for one another, they had at least built some rapport.

So long as his own interests were not involved, he was still quite willing to make friends.

"Sounds good. We're free anyway." Nara Kazama also smiled. "Let's drink until we drop!"

He narrowed his eyes slightly.

After giving it some thought, he understood that Uchiha Jin's guess was correct.

Under normal circumstances,

a squad like theirs, having just gone through a major battle, would definitely be given some time to rest.

During that period, however, they had been under immense pressure to survive.

Every day, they walked the line between life and death.

Since they had such a good opportunity, it was good to relax with a drink.

Besides, drinking—

was also a great opportunity to build camaraderie.

Kudo Shin did not speak, merely smiling as he agreed.

Right after that,

the three of them began passing cups around in the tent.

They chatted idly about everything under the sun.

In that indulgence, they gradually began to relax.

Kudo Shin wore a wistful expression.

Especially when he looked at Uchiha Jin before him, his gaze became incredibly complicated.

He knew it in his heart.

If Jin had not pulled him back, he might have been nothing more than a corpse two days ago.

After pondering for a long time, he drained a cup of wine before suddenly speaking.

"Uchiha Jin!"

"If you hadn't helped me, I'd already be dead."

"We're both smart people. I know that you must have had your own calculations when you saved me."

"But it doesn't matter!"

"After all, you saved my life, and I'm just a civilian ninja. My life isn't worth much anyway."

"If you ever need me in the future, just send word."

Uchiha Jin narrowed his eyes.

Looking at the grateful Kudo Shin before him, he actually did not care much.

First of all,

things said at the drinking table could not be taken seriously.

Perhaps Shin truly was grateful to him, but those words had only slipped out under the influence of alcohol.

But in reality,

once he sobered up, if someone else extended an olive branch, he might immediately run over to them.

Of course,

even though he understood this, he would not say something so mood-killing at the drinking table.

He immediately burst into laughter, and the matter passed just like that.

About an hour later,

Kudo Shin had the poorest tolerance for alcohol and promptly drank himself under the table.

Uchiha Jin and Kudo Kazama carried him over and tossed him onto the bed, then covered him with a blanket.

Afterward,

the two returned to the drinking table.

After casually having a few more drinks, Nara Kazama was the first to speak.

"Jin-kun."

"Kudo Shin is actually worth recruiting."

"He's just a civilian ninja. The village does not think highly of people like him."

"Give him a few basic ninjutsu, and he'll basically devote himself to you."

"Besides, he has survived at least two wars. Both his temperament and abilities are quite good."

"As long as you nurture him properly, he will definitely be useful in the future."

"As for worrying about betrayal, I don't think it matters at all. Just have him provide a token of loyalty."

"There are plenty of ways to ensure that he won't betray you."

"Of course, what matters more is his status."

"As a civilian ninja, once he truly grows stronger, he will possess tremendous influence among the civilian ninja community."

"..."

Nara Kazama's logic was clear.

Even after drinking so much, it had not affected him in the slightest.

However,

Uchiha Jin was utterly bewildered by this.

What was going on?

He gave Nara Kazama a strange look before he could not help but speak.

"What's with you?"

"Although we've gone through life and death together and can barely be called comrades-in-arms,"

"the problem is,"

"we don't really know each other. We're both people with our own schemes."

"You're planning so carefully for me, but I can't figure out your purpose."

"Until I understand that, I have no interest in hearing what you have to say next."

That was right.

Everyone's choices had their own purpose, which could also be called self-interest.

But what about the two of them?

They had merely ended up in the same cannon-fodder squad through a series of coincidences.

Uchiha Jin naturally could not understand what Nara Kazama was plotting by planning so wholeheartedly for him.

Nara Kazama gave a bitter smile upon hearing that.

"Neither of us is any better than the other. We're actually quite similar." Nara Kazama's tone was faint, and a cold glint flashed through his eyes. "The Uchiha are a complete mess. I don't believe you can't see that."

"Everything you've been doing lately is meant to distance yourself from the Uchiha."

"But the problem is,"

"I don't think the village will be willing to let you go, because being named Uchiha is your original sin!"

"Of course, I believe in your talent. Sooner or later, you'll become a powerhouse, perhaps even so powerful that Leaf Village will not dare to provoke you."

"But then what?"

"Individual strength is certainly important in the Ninja World, but it is also not all that important."

"How formidable was the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju? Yet after his death, didn't the Senju Clan still vanish without a trace?"

"So the best choice is to create your own power."

"Because you cannot remain alone forever. Right now, you're young, and you have too many things to worry about every day."

"But once you truly become strong, you will definitely have to consider getting married and having children."

"Can you protect your family for the rest of your life?"

"The best choice is to build your own power."